Why are these new regulations needed?

Pollution causes algae “blooms” which consume oxygen, creates “dead zones” where aquatic life cannot survive, and blocks sunlight, which kills aquatic plant life and species that live on the bottom of waterways

Goal is to restore clean water in the Chesapeake Bay and the region's streams, creeks and rivers by reducing the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment

Why are these regulations significant to Northern Virginia local governments?

Nothing of this scale has ever been accomplished before

Other watershed programs in the United States are watching us to see how we respond

The practices needed to implement and achieve pollution reduction goals prescribed by the EPA are expensive

EPA will be monitoring Virginia’s plan to make sure it is implemented adequately

Failure to reach goals could result in changes in the way permits are approved by the EPA, the further reduction of allowable pollutants from pollution sources that are already regulated by the EPA, and could have an impact on federal grants